‘Could light up a room’: Floyd’s family fights to keep his memory alive

CHARLOTTE — George Floyd’s death has spurred protests and calls for change across the country. His cousin, Paris Stevens, who lives in Charlotte, spoke with Channel 9 about how she is fighting to keep his memory alive.

“He was a nice person, could light up a room, easy to talk to,” Stevens said. “Everybody liked him.”

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Stevens said she knew him as “Perry,” who was born in Fayetteville.

“He wanted to aspire to be big,” Stevens said. “He had big dreams.”

Those dreams were cut short on May 25 when the 46-year-old unarmed man died under the knee of a Minneapolis police officer.

“It was heartbreaking,” she said. “It was heart-wrenching to see someone's life, his life being taken in that manner. Now we are fighting to keep his memory alive, fighting for everyone that has had some sort of unjust.”

Stevens said that her family not only wants justice for Floyd but for everyone.

Interview: George Floyd's cousin Paris Stevens Interview: George Floyd's cousin Paris Stevens

“There has to be police reform in every single state because no one is listening,” Stevens said. “For civilians to trust police again, they’re gonna have to be held accountable at a different level.”

Stevens said that until that happens, the protests across the globe will continue.

“We’re just gonna continue to fight. We have to,” Stevens said.

Stevens said she wants to thank everyone who has been supportive and peacefully protested, pushing for change and encourages them to continue.